Expression of LOX in Colorectal Cancer Tissues and Its Relationship with Progress and Prognosis

Objective To analyze the expression of lysyl oxidase (LOX) in colorectal cancer and its relationship with clinicopathological characteristics, prognosis, and its progress. Methods 82 cases of colorectal tumor paraffin-embedded specimens and paired tumor-adjacent tissues were collected, and data of clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of these patients were also recorded from 2009.1 to 2010.5. Expressions of LOX, hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-7 were determined by immunohistochemistry. Then relationship between LOX and clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis was explored, and relationship between LOX and HIF-1α, MMP-2, MMP-7 were investigated. Results Expressions of LOX was stronger in tumors than in tumor-adjacent tissues (P<0.05). Cancer tissues with overexpressed LOX had later clinical stages, deeper tumor invasion, and more metastatic lymph nodes (all P<0.05). The result also showed that patients with overexpression of LOX had poorer prognosis, and overexpression of LOX was independent factor for prognosis in COX survival analysis. Expression of HIF-1α, MMP-2, MMP-7 in colorectal cancer was stronger than in tumor-adjacent tissues (P<0.05). Positive relationship was found between LOX and HIF-1α, MMP-2, MMP-7 proteins (P<0.05). Conclusion LOX was overexpressed in colorectal cancer tissues, and was associated with the progression of colorectal cancer. LOX may be involved in the progress of colorectal cancer by regulating HIF-1α, MMP-2, MMP-7 protein expression.